Fiji Coach John McKee Targets Play-offs Spot At 2019 Rugby World Cup
On the development of local players, McKee wrote that he was pleased with the performances of the Fiji Airways Fijian Drua side and the Swire Shipping Fijian Warriors.
Monday 29 April 2019 | 17:44
Fiji Airways Flying Fijians head coach John McKee believes their historic win against France last year has given the team momentum and self-belief ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
In his contribution to the Fiji Rugby Union’s 2018 annual report, the Kiwi said the focus remained on getting the best preparation in 2019 for Japan’s tournament, starting this September.
Fiji is in Pool D with Australia, Georgia, Wales, and Uruguay, and is aiming to reach the play-off stages for the first time since 2007.
“We are well aware of the work that must be done across 2019 in the build up to the RWC 2019, to help ensure the Flying Fijians are put in the best position,” he wrote.
“(This is) to be able to perform at levels required to have a chance of qualifying for the play-off stages of the RWC by finishing 1st or 2nd in pool D.”
McKee wrote that he was happy with Fiji’s performances and results in the six test matches last year – against Samoa, Georgia and Tonga in June, and Scotland, Uruguay and France in November.
“(The) disappointment (of 2018) was the defeat to a spirited and hungry Ikale Tahi in Lautoka in June,” McKee wrote.
“(Our) performance across these two campaigns (June and November) was of a very high level with significant performance achievements met.”
Fiji beat Samoa and Georgia at Suva’s ANZ Stadium (24-22 and 37-15 respectively) before losing to Tonga 19-27 at Churchill Park in Lautoka. Despite the final day loss, Fiji retained the Pacific Nations Cup.
The Fijians started November’s tests with a 15-54 loss to Scotland in Edinburgh before claiming victories against Uruguay in Gloucester (68-7) and France in Paris (21-14).
Fiji scored 27 tries and conceded 19 in the six matches, racking up 189 points while giving away 139.
The team also finished in 8th position on the World Rugby rankings for the first time in its history.
McKee also handed 10 players their Flying Fijians debuts in 2018 – namely, Alivereti Veitokani, Albert Tuisue, Eroni Mawi, Sevanaia Galala, Veremalua Vugakoto, Mesulame Dolokoto, Semi Radradra, Setareki Tuicuvu and Eroni Sau.
On the development of local players, McKee wrote that he was pleased with the performances of the Fiji Airways Fijian Drua side and the Swire Shipping Fijian Warriors.
“With the Drua winning the Australian National Rugby Championship in 2018, we can already see, in the second year of participation, a signification pathway gap for locally based players between domestic and international completion has been bridged,” he added.
“(The) locally based players selected for the November tour were well prepared for international rugby and made significant contributions to the team’s performance.”
Edited by Osea Bola
Feedback: sheldon.chanel@fijisun.com.fj
